Precision Farming and the Concept of Variable Rate Application
Posted on: 25 March 2019
Variable Rate Application (VRA) is among the technological advancements aimed at improving agriculture. Agriculturalists use it to automate the process involved in applying materials to certain landscapes or projects. The application relies on data collected by maps, sensors and GPS instruments. Some of the materials you will apply during the process include seeds, chemicals, fertilisers and chemicals that enhance crop production. Anyone who has never heard or used the VRA concept can perceive it as an abstract idea bound to fail. However, that is far from the truth. The following information will improve your knowledge of VRA and its contribution to precision farming:
Application of Fertilisers
In most cases, natural soils lack the perfect combination of mineral and salts needed for healthy crops. There is a need to supplement what the soil can offer using artificial fertilisers. Improper application of fertilisers results in lots of wastage and costs. It also means that your crops will not get the right amount of additional nutrients that they require to grow. They could be too much or too little. Variable Rate Application prevents all this through the following techniques:
- Map-based and Sensor-based Application – map-based VRA requires specialists to input a specific map of the landscape into the VRA system before embarking on the application. The maps guide the system on the amount of fertiliser needed by each section of the landscape. On the other hand, sensor-based VRA relies on integrated sensors that monitor the health of crops and determine the quantity and type of fertiliser to apply.
- Management Zones – the name suggests that these areas require differential treatment from the treatment applied to the rest of the landscape. Management areas need prior assessment by agricultural specialists to determine the type of material suitable for an application. The data gathered guides the VRA machines on the time, quantity and type of material to apply.
Management of Costs
VRA systems are instrumental in managing farming costs. The systems automate the collection of data on the farm and the application of that data in primary agricultural processes. Ideally, you will not witness incidences of excess application of agricultural chemicals. You will only spend money on the quantities you need.
VRA and the Green Movement
There is a need to take care of the environment to sustain optimal agricultural production. Using too many chemicals to remove weeds and boost soil fertility affect the acid-base balance in the soil. This affects the ability of the soil to retain water, aerate and provide a suitable home for soil organisms. VRA helps you use the right amount of chemicals, which favours the environment in the end.
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